It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers. As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:
Hey, Mavis! I have a child in middle school. The school has let students know that they can only use plastic see-through water bottles next year. The problem is the water doesn’t stay cold for very long and we have long-relied on stainless steel bottles. Do you have suggestions for our situation or can you recommend a brand of plastic bottle that keeps drinks cold??? Thank you!!!
~Dawn
That’s a tough one, but I’ve used a few decent ones that keep water colder longer. The NutraWork Insulated Plastic Water Bottle is a good one since it is double walled. The CamelBak Chute is good, too. Would they let her use a beaded water bottle like this one? The beads can be frozen and will keep the water cold for hours. If not, lots of ice it is! Good luck!
Finally the sun has come out in Newport, Wa. Loving it, but all those mosquitoes are out too. I hate using bug spray but it seems the only thing that works for me. Any ideas what to use?
~Cindy from Facebook
I’ve heard that drinking apple cider vinegar is an effective mosquito repellent. But if that sounds awful, you might want to consume more garlic, or use lavender bath products or essential oils, as mosquitoes hate both lavender and garlic! You can also plant lemon grass around your porch or deck, since it’s known to naturally repel mosquitoes.
Do you have any recommended books on how to make the type of rugs like you make?
~Andrea
Yes! I have a few:
- Rug Hooker’s Companion by Donna Hrkman
- Wide Cut Primitive Rug Hooking by Wendy Miller
- Rug Hooking Traditions with Magdalena Briner Eby by Evelyn Lawrence
And of course any book by Maggie Bonanomi is always a treat {although her books are a mix of primitive style rugs, quilts, penny rugs and other needfuls}.
You asked about Bakeries in Vancouver where I live, well there are two I would recommend. The first one is in Lynn Valley Centre in North Vancouver. It is the only one bakery there and the strawberry pie with cream filling is the best I have ever had. I buy it once a week for my son and I. I get one small piece and he eats the rest. The other bakery is in a hotel and it is call Giovanni’s. It is on Cordova St in the heart of downtown Vancouver. I hope you have a great time and look forward to your pictures and thoughts of my beautiful city.
~Kathie
You had me at strawberry cream pie! Both bakeries have been added to my list. Thanks so much for your suggestions. I’m loving this bakery goal! Yum!
Have a question for me? Submit them HERE and I’ll try to answer them.
~Mavis
Linda says
Lemon Grass is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses so be cautious planting it if you have animals. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lemon-grass
Leslie says
RE water bottles, what about using an insulated sleeve?
Alice says
The school has let students know that they can only use plastic see-through water bottles next year.
Sleeve not see-through.
Leslie says
Logical assumption.
Carrie says
I planted lavender by my front steps with success. I have two pots on my back deck. One with a “mosquito plant” I found at a nursery and the other with Bee Balm. No mosquitoes yet! I also heard eating a banana a day helps. My neighbors just sprayed for mosquitoes which infuriates me since I keep bees. I don’t understand why because my yard gets the same sun, shade and water issues when it rains and we have none! Must be the plants. 😉
an in E. oregon says
A great mosquito repellent is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil or lotion. I’ve used it with great success! 🙂
mable says
The night before, fill one third to one half of the bottle with water and freeze. Fill with water the next morning and the water will stay cold all day long.
AlysonRR says
I was going to suggest something similar. Send two water bottles – one to drink right away (with ice cubes or chunks) and a frozen one to drink later.
debbie in alaska says
If anyone out there uses essential oils — this combination of oils works well for mosquitoes — and up here in Alaska they are a pretty big nuisance. Oils I use in the blend: peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, thieves, purification, tea tree, lemon, idaho tansy and citronella. Added bonus is that it smells great. 🙂
jessica says
The tervis waterbottle is 24 oz and double walled. You can get a clear tumbler with design so still view-able. They come with a guarantee so if they do get broken you mail back and it can be replaced.
Emily E. says
I have also recently read that catmint is naturally mosquito repellant.
D'Anna says
Was just having a conversation about mosquitos…lemon balm works to keep them away and you can rub the leaves on and it also repels them.